The start of 2012 brought three new faculty members to North
Georgia Technical College’s Allied Health Department.
Debra Downs and Mandy Baker joined the Medical Assisting team,
and Charles Hill returned full time to take the reins of the EMS
(Emergency Medical Services) Programs.

“The Allied Health department covers a variety of programs
including Medical Assisting, Nursing, Emergency Medical,
Clinical Lab, Pharmacy Tech, and more,” said NGTC Dean for
Academic Affairs Mindy Glander. “We have been growing
these programs for the past few years to meet the needs of our
communities. And with the recent Federal Grant to expand the
Nursing program, there will be more exciting changes during the
year.”

Ms. Downs, Ms. Baker, and Mr. Hill are all full of enthusiasm
for the future of their programs and for their student’s
success.

Debra Downs comes to NGTC from Okefenokee Technical College
where she has been on the faculty for the last eight years.
“I’ve been wanting to come up to the mountains and to North
Georgia Tech in particular for years,” she smiled. “This
is a beautiful school and the area is so serene.” As a
Registered Medical Assistant and an LPN, Ms. Downs also has
credentials in online learning delivery. Her husband,
John, is still currently residing in South Georgia and is
employed by Varn Wood Products. They have two sons and
daughters in law and six grandchildren.

Also joining the Medical Assisting faculty is Mandy Baker.
Mandy was a Medical Assisting adjunct at NGTC for several years.
She is an alumnus of the college from the 1999 Medical Assisting
program. From there she went on to get her degree from
Gainesville College. She and her husband, Chet, who is a
Nurse Practitioner, own and operate Express Care Habersham
located in Tim’s Pharmacy. Ms. Baker expressed her
excitement about joining the faculty full time. “This is
just what I wanted,” she said. “I am starting a whole new
chapter in my life. It is an adventure.”

Charles Hill is NGTC’s new EMS Programs Director. Charles
was also a student at NGTC in 1996 and and again in 1998.
He taught as an adjunct instructor for several years starting in
2002. Recently, he spent 19 months in Iraq as a contractor
for a Remote Medical Clinic for Ugandans, part of the 3rd
Country National Guard Force. He received his Bachelors in
Communications from Ashford University while in Iraq. Now
residents of Cleveland, Charles and his wife, Suzette, have four
daughters: Ashley, Leslie, Kimberley, and Gracie Teater.

“We are pleased with the knowledge and breadth of experience
that these folks bring to the table,” says Vice President of
Academic Affairs Rex Bishop. “They will be great assets as
we work to take the quality and reputation of our programs to
new heights, which will be of great benefit to both our students
and to the community.”

For more information on the Allied Health programs of study at
NGTC, contact 706-754-7740, or visit
www.northgatech.edu.

NGTC’s Blairsville Campus
Welcomes Two

If you visit the library on the Blairsville Campus of North
Georgia Technical College, you will see a new friendly face this
year. Chris Bryant stepped into the librarian position
following Linda Johnston’s retirement. Also moving to the
campus full-time is Medical Assisting instructor Gail Berry who
has been teaching from the Clarkesville campus for many years.

Mr. Bryant was introduced to the Blairsville campus just before
Christmas break. Most recently coming from the
Clarkesville public library, Chris spent several years in the
Charleston County school system as a librarian. He holds a
Bachelors in Architecture from the University of Tennessee in
Knoxville and a Masters in Library Information Science from the
University of South Carolina in Columbia.

“The university setting for a library is so much calmer than a
public library can be,” said Bryant. “I am enjoying the
friendly and laid back atmosphere and getting to know my
co-workers and the students.” He and his wife, Dr.
Katherine Frizzell moved to Georgia in 2010. “I’m more
than happy to come back to the mountains,” he said, ruefully
admitting that he’s getting to know Blood Mountain a whole lot
better now.

“We’re very glad to have Chris on board,” said NGTC Clarkesville
Campus Librarian Christina Teasley. “I think Chris’
enthusiasm and sense of humor make him a great addition to the
library staff.”

Also joining the Blairsville campus family full time is Gail
Berry. Ms. Berry is an alumnus of NGTC from the Medical
Assisting program. From there she went on to complete her
A.A.S. in Medical Assisting from Gainesville State College.
Ms. Berry is a Certified Medical Assistant.

“Gail has that amazing ability to put people totally at ease
even while maintaining the highest level of professionalism,”
said Dean for Academic Affairs Mindy Glander. “We are very
happy that she chose to make the move up to join us here.”

Ms. Berry fills the position after Ms. Angela Flowers recently
resigned to assist with her husband’s ministry.

“We are looking forward to a wonderful year here in
Blairsville,” said Ms. Glander. “Our students have a
bright future, and our faculty and staff stand ready to help
them achieve their goals.”

For more information on the programs of study on the NGTC
Blairsville Campus, contact 706-439-6300, or visit
www.northgatech.edu.

NGTC Glamour Day

Are you looking for a Valentine gift for someone special?
The North Georgia Technical College Foundation is sponsoring
Glamour Day on the Clarkesville Campus on Saturday, February
11th. The Cosmetology Department will provide each guest
with a shampoo/blow dry/set, manicure and makeup suitable for
the outfit chosen for the photo shoot. While being
pampered with these services, each person will also enjoy light
refreshments. The next treat will be a photo session in the
Photography Department and each participant will receive an 8” x
10” print and a cd with their photo images. A fashion show
will be ongoing during the scheduled photo session.

While the services would usually cost $250, the tickets are on
sale for a $75 tax deductible donation to the Foundation.
Guests may register for 9 a.m., 11 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. time slots.
Tickets are available from any Foundation Trustee and
additional information is available by calling 706-754-7714 or
cbrown@northgatech.edu.
There are only 60 spaces available.

All proceeds raised during Glamour Day will go to the NGTC
Foundation Scholarship Fund which furnished financial assistance
for over 100 students last year. With the reductions in
HOPE Grants and Scholarships and the increase in college costs,
more students than ever are in financial need. In order
for them to complete their education and go to work, additional
resources are required. Students on all three campuses are
eligible for Foundation Scholarships and books through the
Foundation Lending Library. Your investment in our students is
critical for their future, the families and the communities they
represent.

Bob Evans presents John Mather with a $500
Scholarship.

John Mather Receives Marlowe-Evans GOAL Scholarship

John Mather of Clarkesville, a Horticulture student at North
Georgia Technical College, has been named as the 2012 winner of
the NGTC Foundation’s Marlowe-Evans GOAL Scholarship.

GOAL (Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership), a statewide
program of the Technical College System of Georgia, honors
excellence in academics and leadership among the state’s
technical college students.

The Scholarship, founded in 2005 by Jim Marlowe and Bob Evans,
is given to one of the 12 GOAL semi-finalists at NGTC who
exemplifies the spirit of Bob Evans and Jim Marlowe through
their community service and willingness to help others. This
year’s award was presented by Mr. Evans to Mr. Mather at the
41th annual GOAL Banquet which was held on Tuesday, January 17,
in the Ramsey-Hunter Dining Hall on the Clarkesville Campus.

“John continues to impress me in every class I have the pleasure
to teach him,” said Horticulture Instructor Craig Thurmond who
nominated John for GOAL. “He is always the one student
that sets the standard in the class with his grades and with his
willingness to spend his time assisting other students if they
need extra tutoring after class. John is truly deserving of the
great award.”

Mr. Mather has been actively involved in a variety of volunteer
organizations ranging from the Habitat for Humanity to Relay for
Life. As a member of the Rotaract and HEROES (Having
Equity Resources and Opportunities Equals Success), he has
worked events such as the Taste of Clarkesville and Clarkesville
Roadside Cleanup. He is active in garden design and garden
coaching for a variety of non-profit entities.

“You are never too old to learn,” Mather asserts.

John was chosen from 26 students representing 18 programs who
were nominated as candidates this year. In order to qualify for
consideration to be a GOAL nominee, applicants must have a 3.0
GPA and demonstrate exemplary work ethics.

Mr. Evans thanked all of the students for their hard work.
Mather is the 7th recipient of the Marlowe-Evans GOAL
Scholarship.

(L-R): James Faulk, Jonne Maultsby,
Donald Thomas, Keats Walker

Faulk is NGTC’s 2012 GOAL Winner

From across all three of North Georgia Technical College’s
campuses, 26 students representing 18 programs were nominated as
candidates for the Georgia Occupational Award for Leadership
(GOAL).

GOAL, a statewide program of the Technical College System of
Georgia, was actually started at NGTC in the early 1970’s.
It is a program that honors excellence in academics and
leadership among the state’s technical college students.
Local GOAL winners are selected at each of the state’s 25
technical colleges.

Through a series of competitive interviews and speeches
conducted by NGTC faculty and staff, a list of the top twelve
were selected for an advanced competition. They were
Caitlin Ayers of Toccoa in Applied Business Technology; James
Faulk of Martin in Industrial System Technology; Robert Gambrell
of Cleveland in Marine Engine Technology; Eduardo Irizarry of
Hinesville in Electrical Systems; Leslie Kelley of Lavonia in
Medical Assisting; John Mather of Clarkesville in Horticulture;
Jonne Maultsby of Toccoa in Criminal Justice; Joshua Colby Moore
of Cleveland in Photography; Jennifer Neese of Eastonallee in
Health Care Science; Cynthia Syphrit of Bowersville in
Accounting; Donald Thomas of Dahlonega in Air Conditioning
Technology; and Keats Walker of Murphy, NC in Turf and Golf
Course Management.

At a special GOAL Banquet, all of the students received
certificates and lapel pins recognizing them as GOAL nominees.
The top twelve were named and then the four finalists from this
group were announced. They are James Faulk, nominated by
Chris Haley, Jonne Maultsby, nominated by Pamela Segers; Donald
Thomas, nominated by Thomas Taylor; and Keats Walker nominated
by Joshua Jackson.

These four engaged in yet one more round of interviews, this
time with representatives from the professional community
including Chamber of Commerce representatives. They then each
took a turn at the podium before the Rotary Club of Habersham,
delivering their prepared speeches.

James Faulk is pursuing a career in Instrumentation and Control
Systems for nuclear power plants. He chose NGTC’s
Industrial Systems Technology (IST) program because it covered
all of the basics: computers, PLC’s (Programmable Logic
Controllers), industrial wiring and instrumentation, mechanical
drives and more. “The instructors at North Georgia Tech
have a great reputation and are well respected in their
industries,” he asserts. “The hands on-learning environment
prepares students for secure jobs in an insecure future.”
Upon completion of his Associates Degree from NGTC, he plans to
begin employment with Florida Power and Light. James lives
in Martin and has three children, Lauren, Makayla, and Will.

Jonne’ Maultsby Baranger has wanted to work in the field of
forensics her entire life. Her long-term goals include
pursuing a Bachelor’s, Master’s and ultimately a Ph.D. in
Criminal Justice. She also hopes to work for the Georgia
Bureau of Investigations, ultimately returning one day to NGTC
as an instructor to help and encourage other students pursuing
the Criminal Justice Field. Rising from a difficult
childhood, surrounded by poverty, violence, and disappointments,
Jonne’ proclaims the value of the technical college and the
freedom education has given her to pursue and achieve her
dreams. Ms. Maultsby Baranger will graduate from NGTC in
May. Her nominating instructor Pam Segers was impressed
with her from their very first meeting. “She knows who she
is, she knows where she is going, and she is aware,” noted
Segers. “She is going to make a difference.” Jonne’
is the daughter of Gwendolyn Maultsby, Pastor of Mt. Sinai F.B.
H. church in Toccoa. Jonne’ and her husband, Jeremy
Baranger, live with their son, Zharee, in Toccoa.

Donald Thomas worked for 20 years in Real Estate Management
before deciding to make a career change. As a displaced
worker, he recognized that there were opportunities for the
technically trained. Thomas selected the Heating and Air
Conditioning program at NGTC and is preparing to take the
Georgia Conditioned Air Contractor’s License Exam. “I’m
ready to start my own business and employ others,” he says.
Donald and his wife, Amanda, live in Dahlonega with their two
daughters Sierra and Paisley.

A self-employed veteran of the agriculture and cattle industry
in South Georgia, Keats moved to Murphy, North Carolina after an
injury threatened his ability to continue his career. Mr.
Walker took his cue from his brother who had attended a
technical college and continues in a successful career with the
Department of Defense. Now Keats himself will complete a
technical program, earning his diploma in Turf and Golf Course
Management. He plans to work in the sod farm production
industry and return to self-employment in the future.

The winner, announced at the January 19 meeting of the Rotary
Club of Habersham, is James Faulk. James will now advance
to represent NGTC at the region level which will be held
February 21 at Lanier Technical College.

Also nominated as 2012 GOAL candidates were Ben Collins of Helen
in Marine Engine Technology; Briana Echols of Toccoa in
Pharmacy Technology; Karen Erwin of Cornelia in Cosmetology; Amy
Estep of Murphy, NC, in Clinical Lab Technology; Amy Gailey of
Baldwin in Clinical Lab Technology; Corey Garrett of Cleveland
in Clinical Lab Technology; Amy Johnson of Tiger in
Practical Nursing; Deborah Kelley of Carnesville in Culinary
Arts; Sean Patterson of Blairsville in Business Administrative
Technology; Margaret Pinney of Toccoa in Practical Nursing;
Dixie Sorensen of Hiawassee in Clinical Lab Technology; Kellie
Tallent of Clarkesville in Medical Assisting; Jocelyn Thacker of
Commerce in Photography; and Willadene Tyler of Blairsville in
Accounting.

GOAL candidates are nominated by an instructor and must carry at
least a 3.0 GPA and demonstrate strong work ethics and
leadership skills.

For more information on programs of study at North Georgia
Technical College, visit
www.northgatech.edu or call 706-754-7700.

Becky Ferguson, English Instructor at North Georgia Technical
College, has earned a special honor. This spring she will
compete with other top instructors in the Technical College
System of Georgia (TCSG) for the Rick Perkins Award for
Excellence in Technical Education. This award is the
technical college equivalent to “teacher of the year.”

Five other instructors were also considered for the 2012 award
including Ronnie Ayers in Welding and Joining Technology,
Christy Bivins in Pharmacy Technology, Morris Harrison in Marine
Engine Technology, Thomas Taylor in Air Conditioning Technology,
and Jack Treadman in Mathematics.

“It was a tough decision to choose just one among the best of
the best,” said Vice President of Academic Affairs Rex Bishop.
“The commitment and passion our instructors have for their
students is amazing, and they all exemplify an outstanding level
of professionalism and enthusiasm for technical education.”

Kiwanis of Clarkesville provided a generous cash award to the
winner and the plaque was presented by Clarkesville Kiwanis Vice
President Martha Richardson.

Becky Ferguson has been teaching English classes at the college
for more than ten years. With exemplary educational
credentials including a Master of Arts in English from Winthrop
University in South Carolina and a professional background that
includes teaching and human resource management, Ms. Ferguson
brings a unique blend of discipline and compassion to her
classroom. Her consistent level of excellence is evident
in the many awards she has received during her career including
Associate of the Year at Unicoi State Park, The Lighthouse Award
for Excellence in Teaching, and two previous nominations for the
Rick Perkins Award.

Welding and Joining Technology Instructor Ronnie Ayers has also
been serving as department chair for the Industrial and
Automotive Departments for the last few years. Along with
managing his duties in the classroom and lab, Ayers also
administers welder qualification tests for industry partners in
the community. He is also working to incorporate the
National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER)
standards into the NGTC Welding Curriculum which will add
another layer of credentials to students graduating from his
program.

Christy Bivins actively maintains her credential of Registered
Pharmacist even while teaching full-time at the college.
With an impressive history of high personal academic
achievement, she expects no less from her students.
Consequently, her students boast an impressive pass rate on
their licensing exams when graduating from her program.

In Morris Harrison’s more than 25 years with NGTC, he has kept
ahead of changing technologies and has navigated his Marine
Engine Technology program to be the premier in the state.
He serves as chair on several state committees and is deeply
involved in the promotion of the SkillsUSA competitions.

Thomas Taylor takes every opportunity to recruit not just for
his program, but for the entire school. He actively
pursues avenues for his students to gain employment, apply for
scholarships, and work with the community, especially helping
seniors in the area. As an alumnus of NGTC’s Heating and
Air program, Taylor serves as an inspiration to his students as
he continued on with his studies, receiving an MBA from Piedmont
College.

To say that Jack Treadman loves mathematics would be a serious
understatement. In his classes, his students learn more
than mathematics, they learn about themselves. “My
students can achieve Victory at Mathematics at NGTC,” says
Treadman, referring to his personal slogan. “Through
concentration, focus, and tenacity, students do raise their
level of thought and reason to a higher level. They learn to
relax, so that they can solve more complex problems.” As
students at NGTC move through higher levels of mathematics and
its applications, they also learn that Math becomes the gateway
to greater career options. “I encourage my students to choose a
career path which will bring them satisfaction and enjoyment,”
he continues. “You cannot allow mathematics to dissuade you from
choosing a specific field of study. Even though the
program or career path requires several courses in math, you
will be able to learn the mathematics as you proceed to your
goal.”

“I am humbled, honored, and surprised beyond belief,” Becky said
as she accepted the award. “I am in extremely good
company. It is good to be a North Georgia Tech
instructor!”

The Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction
has been an ongoing statewide event since 1991, and is designed
to recognize technical college instructors who make significant
contributions to technical education through innovation and
leadership in their fields. Formerly known as the Commissioner’s
Award of Excellence, the award was renamed in honor and memory
of Thomas “Rick” Perkins, an instructor at West Central
Technical College, who received the Commissioner’s Award of
Excellence prior to his untimely death.

For more information on programs of study at North Georgia
Technical College, visit
www.northgatech.edu or contact 706-754-7700.

Jeff Gulle Invited to Membership in
American Society of Photographers

Jeff Gulle, Photography Instructor for North Georgia Technical
College, has been invited to membership in the American Society
of Photographers (ASP).

ASP is a prestigious society of professional photographic
artists who aspire to maintain the highest level of excellence
by adhering to ethical standards, stimulating creativity, and
continually refining technical competence.

Their purpose as stated in the preamble of its constitution:
"...shall forever be to bring into close confederation and
co-operation all those leaders in the photographic art and
science whose aim is and ever will be, to strive for
pre-eminence in artistic perfection and scientific knowledge of
the art."

The Society elects individuals of proven ability and integrity
who have rendered distinctive service to the profession. Those
elected must have first earned one of the degrees offered by the
Professional Photographers of America, Inc., and must be a
current member of that organization in good standing.

Each Society member must have a keen sense of responsibility to
the public; for the image of the Society depends up on the
character which each member brings to the performance of his
duties, and to the austerity of his self-imposed standards.

NGTC’s Photography program is a world-class course of study that
awards both diplomas and Associate degrees. “We are proud
to have highly credential professionals on staff here at North
Georgia Tech,” said NGTC Vice President of Academic Affairs Rex
Bishop.

For more information on the American Society of Photographers,
visit www.asofp.com. For more
information on NGTC’s Photography program, contact Jeff Gulle,
jgulle@northgatech.edu.

Students Named to North
Georgia Tech’s President's List

Clarkesville, GA – North Georgia Technical College is proud to
announce its President’s List for Fall Semester 2011. The
President’s List recognizes full-time students with a 4.0 GPA in
all areas, including work ethics. Full-time students are
those taking at least 12 credit hours with no developmental
courses. Approximately 163 students were named to the
President’s List.

* students taking 12 or
more credit hours and no developmental courses

Students Named to North
Georgia Tech’s Honor Roll List

Clarkesville, GA – North Georgia Technical College is proud to
announce its Honor Roll for Fall Semester 2011. The Honor Roll
recognizes full-time students with a 3.5 GPA
in all areas, including work ethics.
Full-time students are those taking at least 12 credit hours
with no developmental courses. Approximately 155 students
were named to the Honor Roll.

* students taking 12 or more credit
hours and no developmental courses

2012 SkillsUSA Region 2 High
School Championship Date Set

On January 26, 2012, North Georgia Technical College will play
host to nearly 300 SkillsUSA contestants from High Schools
across the Northeast Georgia area.

The theme for this year is “Champions at Work: Skilled and
Motivated.” The idea relates to the national program of
work and how SkillsUSA fosters personal and professional
development, to prepare students for the next phase of their
lives.

SkillsUSA Region 2 includes counties from Union to Greene and
from Forsyth to Hart. In all, 23 counties will send their
students to NGTC for a day of competition in technical fields
such as Public Speaking, Welding, and Automotive.

SkillsUSA is a national career and technical student
organization and each year a series of over 100 competitions
allow students to test their skills.

This region event in January is for High School students only;
college level competitions follow later in the Spring.
However, the NGTC students are also involved at this level in
capacities from directing traffic flow to assisting with the
judging. “It is a great opportunity for our students to
develop their leadership skills and to encourage the high school
students who may be considering their career and education
options,” said Jason Smith, NGTC Welding and Joining Instructor.
Smith is the NGTC team leader for the Region 2 SkillsUSA
contest.

The January 26 event will begin at 9:00 AM and will end with an
awards ceremony at 2:00 PM in the NGTC Clegg Auditorium.
The public is welcome to attend; however, interactions with
contestants during judging is strictly prohibited. The
inclement weather date is set for one week later on February 2,
2012.

NGTC Allied Health Program Pins
Graduates

At special ceremonies on both the Blairsville and Clarkesville
campuses, North Georgia Technical College students from the
Allied Health programs were recognized for academic
achievements. The Fall Allied Health Pinning Ceremony was
attended by family, friends, faculty and staff, filling the room
with an atmosphere of pride and accomplishment.

A short procession of each graduating student, clad in medical
professional garb, solemnly filed down the center aisle carrying
a single lighted candle.

On the Clarkesville Campus, President Steve Dougherty welcomed
the crowd and praised the students for their achievements and
acknowledged the loving support provided by the families.
“You are the caregivers we will all depend on in our community,”
noted Dougherty. “We are humbled to be even a small part
of contributing to the success and competency of these
individuals as they join the medical field.”

Each student was called individually and proudly pinned either
by family members or by the instructor. A brief bio for
each was read and hugs, kisses, smiles, and a happy pose for a
quick picture made the moment special for everyone.

Kendra Garrett Anderson of Toccoa is the wife of Joshua Anderson
and mother of Joshua Reece. After graduation she plans on
attending Piedmont College to receive her Bachelors of Science
in Nursing. She was pinned by her husband and son who have
been her driving force through this program.

Nursing student Charles Hall of Clarkesville is the father of
four children, Kevin, Sleana, Libby, and Carlos Hall. He
was pinned by his wife of 30 years, Brenda Sue.

Miranda Howard of Alto is the daughter of Reggie and Kim Hulsey
and the sister of one brother, Dalton. She is currently
employed by Habersham Medical Center. She was pinned by her
mother and fellow Nursing classmate Jennifer Littrell.

Nursing student Jennifer Littrell of Tiger is the daughter of
Newton and Jeana Ray. She is the wife of Dale Littrell and
the mother of Justin and Elizabeth. She was pinned by her
husband and her mother.

David Peterson of Clarkesville will be continuing his nursing
education to achieve a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and
eventually a Nurse Practitioner. His goal is to improve the
health of his community through nutrition and health education.
David was pinned by his partner of 13 years, Sid, who manages
their organic growing operation, Burton Mountain Farms.

Amanda Sheriff of Clarkesville is the daughter of Danny and
Denise Banks of Lula, GA, and the wife of Jeff Sheriff.
She would like to thank her family for their support and Darla,
her faithful dachshund, for endless hours of listening to her
read. She will be returning to North Georgia Technical
College Summer Semester to complete core courses toward a
Nursing Degree. She was pinned by her husband, Jeff.

Kristin Sherwen is a Clarkesville native, daughter of Robert and
Lisa Henry, wife of David Sherwen, and mother of Xander.
She plans to continue her education towards a Bachelor’s degree
in Nursing. She was pinned by David and Xander.

Nursing student Sharon Woods feels that returning to school has
been an amazing experience. Her future goals consist of
obtaining her license and finding work near her home in Rabun
County. She was pinned by Eddie Woods, her husband of 33
years.

Nursing student Debra Youngblood resides in Toccoa. She is
the daughter of the late Ben and Mary Simmons. She is
married to Steve Youngblood and they have a son, Brandon.
Debra looks forward to working in the healthcare field and
providing quality client care. She was pinned by her
husband, Steve, who has been very supportive as always.

Practical nursing students Jonathan Bruce of Dahlonega, and
Kimberly Long and Brittany Tutterrow both of Mineral Bluff, were
also pinned.

Renee Jordan is the mother of Tyler, Tessa, and Tori; the
stepmother of Levi, Madison, Mckenzie, and Callie; and the soul
mate to Allan Manns. Renee and her family currently reside
in Martin, Georgia. She is a Certified Pharmacy Technician
at Sanders Drugs, and absolutely adores her job and her
employers. Renee was pinned by Allan Manns to whom she is
eternally grateful for everything he has done and continues to
do.

Keaton Clark is the son of Robert and Cynthia Clark of Toccoa,
Georgia. He is currently employed as a full time
veterinary assistant where he has worked for many years.
He is appreciative of the experience and knowledge of medicine
the veterinary field has given him but looks forward to a
rewarding career in the pharmacy field. Continuing his education
is a future goal. Keaton was pinned by his mother, Cynthia
Clark.

Susan Clark is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Billue of
Cornelia, Georgia. She is the wife of Keith Clark and the
mother of three children: Summer, Allen and Shea.
She is also the grandmother of Coupe Annelise Hall. She is
currently employed as a full-time Certified Level 3 IV
Technician at United Pharmacy Services in Toccoa. She
thoroughly enjoys the UHS Pruitt Company and her fellow
employees. In the future she would like to continue her
education in compounding pharmacy, she feels there is a great
need in her region for this type of pharmacy. Susan was pinned
by instructor Ms. Bivins who not only taught her the knowledge
of pharmacy, but gave her the gift of confidence.

Pharmacy Technology student Robert Ellison of Cleveland is the
husband of Starla Ellison and the father of Savanna, Michael,
and Logan. Robert is employed at Northeast Veterinary
Hospital in Cornelia. He is enjoying exploring the
veterinary side of medicine. Robert was pinned by his
lovely wife of 11 years.

Donna Hunt of Lula is the daughter of Garry and JoAnne Cook of
Gainesville. She is also the wife of David Hunt and the
mother of Danah Hunt. She enjoys her current employment as a
full time Certified Pharmacy technician at United Pharmacy in
Toccoa. Donna was pinned by her beautiful daughter, Danah,
of whom she is very proud.

Pharmacy Technology student Debra Ann Wheeler is the daughter of
Cynthia Wheeler and the late Frank Wheeler and is the youngest
of their six children. She is the mother of Aaron of
Maryland, David of Carnesville, and e’Marie who resides with her
in Cornelia. She is pinned by the lovely E’Mari.

Medical Assisting Graduates pinned on the Blairsville Campus
included Scott Anna, Meghean Gallagher, Debora Gibson, and Cathy
Riggs of Blairsville; Sabrina Barnes of Young Harris, Jonathan
Brege of Murphy, NC; Lynn Harbour of East Ellijay; Lindsay
Thornton of Ellijay; April Jones of Hiawassee; and Olivia
Pickens of Blue Ridge.

“You will all represent us well,” commented President Dougherty.
“It is a privilege to know that you received your education
here. Thank you for choosing North Georgia Tech.”

Pictures of the ceremonies may be viewed at
www.facebook.com/ngtcnews.

For more information on Allied Health programs of study offered
at North Georgia Technical College contact 706-754-7700 or visit
www.northgatech.edu.

Graduating Photography students at NGTC
display their portfolios and portraits.

Photography Students are Focused on Their Future

Twice a year, the students completing their work in the
Photography program of study exhibit their hundreds of pieces of
fascinating photographic art, filling portfolios and covering
display racks in the lobby of North Georgia Technical College’s
Visual Tech lobby.

At an open reception on December 6, each student excitedly
explained various aspects of their favorite pieces to family,
friends, and the general public. “We’ve got such a wide
range of focus with these seven students,” said instructor Jim
Loring. “Each student has developed quite a flair within
his or her own individuality. It makes a very intriguing
viewing.”

Jessica Kendrix of Suches is the daughter of Jack and Jenny. She
has been taking pictures since she was four years old. “I
kept taking my mother’s camera,” she smiled. “At first she
was worried I’d break it, then she just started handing me the
camera to take the best pictures!” Her professional dream
is to create a non-profit organization that works to celebrate
the lives of terminally ill children in photographs. “When
I was a child, I lost my best friend, and there were no pictures
of her,” she explained, adding that she would name her company
“Diana’s Love” after that friend.

James Dahlman of Thomaston is the son of John and Sally.
He spent his internship working with Rick Blackshear of
Blackshear Photography in Griffin, Georgia. He came to
NGTC after a chance meeting with the college’s recruiter.
“I had been looking at the Art Institute and SCAD (Savannah
College of Art and Design), but the cost was just too much,” he
said. “What I paid for my entire program here was less
than one semester would have been at either of those colleges.”
Dahlman went on to confirm the quality of education at NGTC.
“With instructors like Ginger Moseley, you get all of the
benefits of their real-world knowledge even while you are
getting hands-on experience.”

Maria Yepez of Tiger is the daughter of Lilia and Justino.
Her brother, Abel, recently completed the Photography course as
well and their long-term plans are to open a studio together.
Maria logged an impressive 340 hours of internship work with
Bryan Snyder of Masterpiece Visual Productions in Mountain City.
“I learned so much about post-production with Bryan,” said
Maria. “It has been a great experience.”

Aly Hill is from Gainesville and came to NGTC because she heard
it was one of the top photography schools in Georgia. Aly
is the daughter of John and Jill Mansfield and Steven and
Christi Hill. She especially enjoyed the fieldtrips to
Gainesville to photograph architecture. “My Dad is an
architect, and we took a lot of photos of his buildings,” she
said with pride.

Alesha Trinowski of White County is the daughter of Ellie and
Steve and the mother of Violet. Homeschooled through her
high school years, Alesha quickly adapted to college life and
has been a work-study student in the library for more than a
year. Her artistic instincts are evident in her
photographs, and with just a few core college classes left, she
smiles that one of them is Art Appreciation. “I’ve been
appreciating art for a long time!”

Nianne Mullis of Lumpkin County is looking forward to her new
career. “When I was laid off, many of my friends were
getting ready to retire,” she said. “But I wasn’t finished yet!
There is more in life that I want to do.” Nianne always
enjoyed taking pictures and has been on several adventure
vacations. Now she has found how to capture what she is
passionate about. Ms. Mullis interned with Tony Rudeseal
of Rudeseal Photography in Cornelia.

Brittany Garner, the daughter of Tammy House of Hartwell,
resides in Clarkesville. Like Nianne, Brittany went
through a job change and is now determined to remain
self-employed. “It took me a little longer to get through
school,” she said, explaining that she had to earn money to pay
for college. But her hard work has paid off in many ways.
With a creative style for staging photographs on location, she
and her partner Quinn Davis plan to eventually move to Ashville.
“It’s a young town that also values art,” she said.

Also displaying their works are Jessica Kendrix of Suches, James
Dahlman of Thomaston, Maria Yepez of Tiger, Aly Hill of
Gainesville, Alesha Trinowski of White County, Nianne Mullis of
Lumpkin County, and Brittany Garner who is the daughter of Tammy
House of Hartwell and currently resides in Clarkesville.

Of the instructors Jim Loring, Jeff Gulle, and Ginger Moseley,
the students were unanimous in their praise, not just for their
technical expertise, but for their encouragement during the
skill development process. “They are really fun and easy
going,” said Maria. Aly agreed: “They can be crazy,
but it inspires us.” Jessica said, “They let us be us;
they are focused on each of us as individuals.”

The exhibit will be accessible during school operating hours in
the Visual Tech building on the Clarkesville Campus. For
more information on the Photography program of study, contact
Jeff Gulle,
jgulle@northgatech.edu or Jim Loring,
jloring@northgatech.edu.

Photography students participated in
Help-Portrait day on December 10, 2011.

Photography Students Offer Help for the Holidays

On an early December Saturday, North Georgia Technical College
Photography students participated in the global Help-Portrait
movement, making family portraits for the community for those
who would not otherwise have been able to afford it.

Help-Portrait was conceived by celebrity photographer Jeremy
Cowart who wanted to inspire professionals around the world to
use their time, gear, and expertise to give back to those in
need. In the last two years, over 100,000 portraits have
been taken during this movement (world-wide).

This year, NGTC Instructor Jeff Gulle inspired his volunteer
students to work with organizations in the community on this
initiative. On Saturday, December 10, they photographed 40
families who all received a disc of their images plus an 8x10
print.

“When the day started, I thought of a number of ways to gauge
the success for our department,” said Photography instructor
Jeff Gulle. “Well, our goals were accomplished with our first
client. She had not had her photo taken in over ten years
because of domestic violence and never thought that she could
ever look beautiful because he always hit her in the face. We
took her photo with tears in our eyes and when she saw her
portrait, she had tears as well.

Gulle and his students are looking at the possibility of
offering this service again during the Spring, just prior to
Easter. For more information on the Help-Portrait
movement, visit
www.help-portrait.com. For more information on the
Photography program of study at NGTC, contact Jeff Gulle at
706-754-7883 or
jgulle@northgatech.edu.

Steve Dougherty presents Gale Watkins with
a gift for her retirement.

Gale Watkins Retires from North Georgia Technical
College

Gale Watkins, Institutional Effectiveness Coordinator at North
Georgia Technical College, retires on January 1, 2012, with more
than 32 years of service.

“I attended NGTC on the ‘Senior Plan’ through Habersham Central
High School,” she said. “It is a great place to learn and
a great place to work.”

Through the years, faculty and staff have depended on Ms.
Watkins for clerical and administrative support. From the
simple tasks of typing curriculum and test documents to the more
complex tasks of collecting and compiling data for professional
certifications and accreditations, Gale has been quietly
efficient and a delight to work with.

“Without Gale, I don’t know if we would have made it,” said
retired NGTC Vice President Dr. Jim Watkins as he reminisced
about the work done for the prized accreditation with the
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on
Colleges (SACSCOC). “She kept us all straight, and all of our
documentation was ready to go on time.”

In 2008, the college did receive the accreditation with SACSCOC,
placing the school on par with the public and private four-year
colleges not only in Georgia but across the country. Ms.
Watkins had also worked on the documentation for a variety of
other institutional credentials such as the college’s previous
accreditation with the Council on Occupational on Education
(COE) and the Performance Accountability System and Review
(PAS/PAR) with the Technical College System of Georgia.

For several years, Ms. Watkins has been involved in the NGTC
Alumni Association helping to organize many events, including
the Classic Car Show at the annual Homecoming weekend events.

“Gale has been one of those steady contributors who will be
greatly missed,” said President Steve Dougherty. “We hope
that she will continue to come back to visit us and remain a
part of our family for many years to come.”

Gale and her husband, Phillip, live in Clarkesville and have two
children and two grandchildren. Phillip is also a graduate
of the college in electronics technology.

For more information on North Georgia Technical College’s
programs of study or professional organization affiliations,
contact 706-754-7700 or visit
www.northgatech.edu .

Steve Dougherty presents Jim Haag with a
retirement gift.

Jim Haag Retires from NGTC

After ten years in his second career, North Georgia Technical
College Industrial Systems Technology Instructor Jim Haag
retires on December 31, 2011.

“Jim is an outstanding faculty member who will be greatly
missed,” said Vice President of Academic Affairs Rex Bishop.
“I appreciate the work he’s done for the college these last
several years.”

Haag’s first retirement was from the Cummins Engine Company
where he served as the Maintenance Manager for the piston ring
plant in Flower Branch. He began teaching for NGTC on the
Blairsville campus in 2002.

In a lighthearted gathering, Haag’s colleagues had a chance to
say good-buy, and Jim took a turn reminiscing himself. “I
had other duties besides those in the classroom,” he smiled,
regaling his colleagues with amusing anecdotes from his tours on
all three of the college’s campuses. “I was the official snake
catcher in Blairsville,” he said. “In Currahee when they brought
in a Ping Pong table to the student area, I lead a Ping Pong
rally that lasted nearly two years.”

Haag’s fun-loving leadership style was evident when he
spontaneously led the gathered group in a round of “Jingle
Bells.”

“We thank you for all the service you have given,” said
President Steve Dougherty. “You will be missed.”

Jim was joined for the celebration by his wife, Linnea, and
their daughter and three grandchildren. Jim and Linnea
make their home in Cleveland, Georgia.

For more information on the Industrial Systems Technology
program of study at NGTC, contact 706-754-7700 or visit
www.northgatech.edu

Linda Johnston receives a retirement gift
from President Steve Dougherty.

Linda Johnston Retires from NGTC

As the saying goes, old librarians don’t retire, they just get
re-shelved. But Linda Johnston, retiring librarian from
the North Georgia Technical College Blairsville Campus, has too
many plans to worry about being shelved.

The faculty and staff on the Blairsville Campus bid a fond
farewell to Ms. Johnston who has been the librarian since the
campus opened in 1998. Showering her with praise and
memories, Linda was overwhelmed with the outpouring of
friendship.

“I feel very unworthy; this is such a great group of people,”
said the humbled librarian. “This has been the best place
I’ve ever worked in my life.”

Ms. Johnston’s career has spanned unusual roles including
Chinese Interpreter and Librarian for the US Army as well as
librarian for colleges in the Technical College System of
Georgia.

“I first knew Linda when we worked together at West Central
Technical College,” explained NGTC President Steve Dougherty.
“I was sorry to say good-bye to her then when she moved up here.
She is a really fun person to work with because of the spirit
she brings to the job. Now I have to say good-bye a second
time.”

Currahee Campus Librarian Dawn Adams added to the story of Ms.
Johnston’s tenure at NGTC. “When Linda was hired, the
building in Blairsville was not yet completed,” she said.
“We had money to buy books and, oh did we have fun buying books
as only librarians can!” Ms. Adams marveled at how
Johnston managed to organize everything in a round library.
As a token going away gift, Dawn presented Linda with a lifetime
NGTC library card.

“She is such an innovative, creative and hard working person
that standing shoulder to shoulder with her was a pleasure,”
said Blairsville Receptionist Jessica de Ruise.

With a heart full of genuine gratitude, Linda thanked her
colleagues over and over. Then she quipped, “This is ‘my
space,’ this is my face (in a book),” she said pantomiming
reading. “And I hope never to be Googled.”

Linda and her husband, Charlie, make their home in Blairsville,
Georgia.

For more information on programs of study at NGTC, contact
706-754-7700 or visit www.northgatrech.edu.

Rotaract Participates in
World-wide Smarter Cities Web Conference

Smarter cities begin with great alliances. Recently the
Habersham County Sunrise Rotary Club worked with North Georgia
Technical College for the local hosting of a world-wide web
conference on Smarter Cities. Students in the campus Rotaract
were invited to participate as well.

The Smarter Cities guest speaker was Dr. Colin Harrison, IBM’s
technical pioneer in Smarter Cities and in the application of
the Smarter Principle to help cities achieve their
sustainability goals. With Dr. Harrison nearly half a
world away, Rotary and Rotaract members as well NGTC faculty and
staff were drawn into the deep discussion about economic
development, urbanization, population growth, climate changes,
and more.

“I thought it was timely and relevant to my classes,” said
NGTC’s Computer Information Systems Instructor Paul Long.
“We discussed it in both my networking and computer concepts
classes.”

The advent of pervasive networks and high-performance portable
devices also has the effect of providing new visibility on what
is going on in urban environments and offers new opportunities
for extending the lifecycle and the capacity of urban
infrastructures, for improving the operational efficiency and
reducing the operating costs of urban services, and provides new
capability for interaction between the city administration and
the citizens and enterprises.

“This presentation allowed better understanding of the Smarter
Principles as they apply to our local communities,” said
Rotaract Advisor and Business Instructor Ruth King. “Many
of the programs taught at NGTC will provide technicians that
will implement the provisions of Dr. Harrison’s proposals.
The inter-related requirements of data sharing in energy,
computer science, water, agriculture, medical, transportation,
and other needs will require workers that understand not only
their requirements, but those of other sustainability goals.”

For more information on the Habersham County Sunrise Rotary or
the NGTC Rotaract, contact Ruth King, 706-754-7812 or
rking@northgatech.edu.